Ireland Views On Show/racing

[t.4 1]

After two shows the racing sames to be taking to long by the time the showing starts some people need to be away home I for one had to leave dessie show early and didn't get to show all my dogs for up and coming shows could something not be done to run the showing earlier or split the racing if it keeps running late like this a lot will lose interest not everyone is there for the racing lot of terrier men didn't seem happy on Sunday as it was so late starting an went home just my opinion would have been more money for a good charity

[Dazzam 239]

At most of the shows i've ever been at there's far too much flaffing about between each heat of the races. For me it's up to the responsability of each owner to be at the start for their heat. Once the dogs are called twice my opinion would be just run the race. People will soon catch on to be ready with their dog. When you see racing start on time, well organised and run properly it's surprising just how little time it takes. I havn't been at any of the lurcher shows this year so can't comment about them.

ATB

Daz

[appleblossom 703]

Valid point T4, and has been discussed at lenght. Improvements ahead me thinks.

[WhippetLad 26]

I think that the next heat should be waiting for when the current heat is finished they are already waiting to race, think it would speed it up a lot.

[AlbertJ 569]

At most of the shows i've ever been at there's far too much flaffing about between each heat of the races. For me it's up to the responsability of each owner to be at the start for their heat. Once the dogs are called twice my opinion would be just run the race. People will soon catch on to be ready with their dog. When you see racing start on time, well organised and run properly it's surprising just how little time it takes. I havn't been at any of the lurcher shows this year so can't comment about them.

ATB

Daz

 

Good point - the organisers always seem to get the blame whereas if the owners werre ready to go in - the only delay is the return of the lure. Might I make a suggestion that I implemented when I was stewarding 'walked up' gundog trials where we had an impatient host who didn't like delays getting dogs in and out of line as the birds ran further and further in front. We had a separate dog steward who was responsible for bringing the next dogs into line. I think this could work well. I know we sometimes had difficulty getting through racing and shows on the one day that is why we split them to two days. I know this means people have to come two days if they want to show and race their dogs. That is why I am prepared to offer a two day ticket ( either family) or adult for the price of the one day ticket but this must be purchased from me by the 1st June.

[PoppyB 22]

It may be worth while when drawing the names for heats, writting out the heats on something that can be pinned up, ticking heats off as you go so people can see there races coming up and be ready for their heat.

 

On Sat Dessie's stopping the racing at 1.30 to run the showing on time, then finishing what racings left after. Its not an option that everyone will be happy with, but its worth trailing.

[PoppyB 22]

Given the large numbers in the handling classes, judging the handling, is there a need for the judge for the judge to be taking time to run their hands over the dogs? Would it help speed things along if the dogs took a lap or two and were walked into centre indivually, stood up and went back in line

[louiejoe 63]

It may be worth while when drawing the names for heats, writting out the heats on something that can be pinned up, ticking heats off as you go so people can see there races coming up and be ready for their heat.

 

On Sat Dessie's stopping the racing at 1.30 to run the showing on time, then finishing what racings left after. Its not an option that everyone will be happy with, but its worth trailing.

 

The sporting whippet Club does this, using a large white board, then those racing their dogs have no excuse if they are not ready for their heat.

Walkie talkies between those officiating on the start and finish lines also speeds things up as they can communicate easier if there are problems.

Given the large numbers in the handling classes, judging the handling, is there a need for the judge for the judge to be taking time to run their hands over the dogs? Would it help speed things along if the dogs took a lap or two and were walked into centre indivually, stood up and went back in line

 

I agree with PoppyB on this , if handling classes are to be included they should be judged as the name of the class suggests..........on the 'owners/ handlers' own handling ability of the dog they are showing. The judge doesn't need to put their hands on the dog as it is not the dog they are judging in these classes!!

Edited May 2, 2013 by louiejoe

[AlbertJ 569]

LJ - as you say large board, numbered entries and a dog steward to make sure dogs are collected in an area and ready to go once the lure comes back - should really quicken up the racing.

 

Albertj

[Dazzam 239]

Some of the clubs that ran the shows in the past were only made up of a couple of members therefore making it difficult to organise and run the racing effectively and efficiently due to lack of help. For me once the lure has been brought back to the start line the next heat should be run within seconds. I reckon given time and support that this will happen in the near future.

 

The Sporting Whippet Club are probably the most efficient club i have witnessed in regard to the racing and in my opinion this has a lot to do with an open and large membership in comparison to other clubs.

 

Surely the racing could be done and dusted at most of the shows within 2 hours. Obviously if the racing is to be held on a separate day from the showing then it can be more relaxed.

 

ATB

Daz

[bowersey 59]

I think the gentle man ladies class and the handling class are a load of rubbish How does a judge judge the ability of a person handling a dog in 2 laps of a show ring with the dogs forced to walk at the pace of the handler in front? Witnessed a handler winning the handing class could not recall their dog after racing walking up and down the track calling their dog trying to get it leaded up .

Back on to this post speeding up the racing showing have a time when the books are closed for the racing and stick to it .Folk will learn to be on time if they miss the entry time . Why not 4 sets of collars and a stewart helping collaring up the next heat so the next heat are on the line waiting on the lure coming back down a white board with the which group we are currently racing and next group up ie whppets etc.

ALL heats for the racing to be drawin in public by names out of a hat or simlar so we all know which heat our dogs are in no one can be accused of putting their dog in with the slower dogs and putting the top dogs in together knocking each other out of the final . The last heat narows the recovery time before the final

Just a few suggestions.

[dee mac 579]

handling class is this for real !what happened to the good old fashioned terrier\lurcher show that was relaxed and a pleasent day out to chat and enjoy the break in the off season it all seems to be getting to serious and the way people get on about this lurcher racing its getting out of hand if you s are that interested and serious about racing get yourselfs a few greyhound s and get out amoungst the big boys on a race night round drumbo dundalk lifford or shelbourn park !

[Dazzam 239]

handling class is this for real !what happened to the good old fashioned terrier\lurcher show that was relaxed and a pleasent day out to chat and enjoy the break in the off season it all seems to be getting to serious and the way people get on about this lurcher racing its getting out of hand if you s are that interested and serious about racing get yourselfs a few greyhound s and get out amoungst the big boys on a race night round drumbo dundalk lifford or shelbourn park !

 

Many of us enjoy both the racing and working aspect of our dogs. It comes across that some of the hunting folk can't seem to grasp this.

Happy hunting,

Happy racing,

Happy showing,

Happy pets,

or whatever you keep your dogs for

 

Daz

[NOOK/ANNA 96]

Gone are the days that you can let kids grab one of the off season lurchers out of the yard and go to a show and win a race. They have turned in to a event that you have to have training regimes , racing diets as now its all about winning for some folks. As for the showing I'd say that there is to many classes. 1 in paticular that I can't understand is usually 1st up. Any dog of any breeds, as a judge how do you judge this? If this is for pet breeds then keep it to end as it usually has loads dogs in it and takes far to much time. Now don't get me wrong I think showing and racing is a good thing and I enjoy going and watching it. An I take my hat of to anyone who runs or sponsors them. I just think they need slimlined a bit. But this will come with time and experiance.

Edited May 3, 2013 by NOOK/ANNA

[bowersey 59]

 

handling class is this for real !what happened to the good old fashioned terrier\lurcher show that was relaxed and a pleasent day out to chat and enjoy the break in the off season it all seems to be getting to serious and the way people get on about this lurcher racing its getting out of hand if you s are that interested and serious about racing get yourselfs a few greyhound s and get out amoungst the big boys on a race night round drumbo dundalk lifford or shelbourn park !

It would be a poor turn out at a show without the folk with the race bred dogs

£3 into the handing class to tell who is the best walking a dog round a ring,